Updated your Apple devices yet? Here is all you need to know about iOS 10 and Watch OS3

By now, you should have upgraded your iPhone & Apple Watch to the latest software version. iOS 10 and Watch OS 3 are probably the biggest software updates to these two devices, promising tons of new features and performance. Here's what is new:

Better WidgetsApple introduced widgets in the notification panel in iOS 8. Now on iOS 10, widgets have been significantly improved (you can finally have them on the lock screen). Simply swipe left on the lock screen and you will see the Widgets screen appear with all your configured widgets. You still have to unlock the phone if you want to edit the widgets though.

The New Home AppHome is a brand new app that comes with iOS 10. It acts as a one-stop control app for all your connected devices (for control & automation). You can add various HomeKit enabled accessories to the app and control them remotely if required. You can have the connected devices perform an action on the basis of location or time of day. HomeKit devices are available from Philips, Withings, Logitech & more.

Remove Stock AppsYou are no longer stuck with the bunch of Apple apps that come pre-loaded with the phone. iOS 10 brings in the option to remove the apps you don’t want such as Stocks, Watch or even the Home app that comes with iOS 10. However, keep in mind that you are not deleting the app — only the icon will be removed from your home panel enabling you to have a more clean look.

Raise to WakeWith iOS 10, your iOS device will automatically wake up when you pick it up from a flat surface. The built-in accelerometer automatically detects when you pick up the phone and wakes the screen to show you notifications. Note that this only works on select iPhone models. If for some reason you don’t like this feature, it can be disabled from settings.

Bedtime ModeThe clock app features a new tab called Bedtime. You answer a few question about your schedule and a recurring wake-up alarm will be automatically set. The app will even send a notification for you to go to bed on time so that you can get the required hours of sleep. Data from sleep patterns is synced with the Health app.

Updated Control Center The Control Center now has a separate panel for music control — swipe right on the Control Center to view it. It shows album art, volume control and also lets you switch between connected accessories for playback from a drop down list. Control Center also gets 3D touch support for various icons (3D touch on the flashlight icon for intensity etc).

Siri for Third Party Apps Till iOS9, Siri was restricted to work only with Apple’s own apps. With iOS 10, Apple has opened Siri for developers — so that it can be integrated with any third party app. WhatsApp has already updated their app with Siri support (you can send messages or place WhatsApp calls via Siri) and so have Pinterest , Slack and LinkedIn. More apps are expected to add support for Siri in the coming weeks.

Revamped iMessageiMessage is now loaded with fun features such as doodles, GIF support, stickers and embedded emoji characters. You can even draw sketches on the screen and send those via iMesssage. In addition, you can choose to send text messages with various effects and animations — press and hold the blue send button to view the various options.

With iOS 10, you can even draw sketches on the screen and send them via iMesssage. (Image: AP)

More Powerful Photos AppThe photos app on iOS 10 will automatically sort your photos on the basis of places and people — this can be viewed in the Albums section of the app. Also, the app now creates a collection from your best photos called Memories — a short movie that shows a selection of photos of a particular day or from past few months. Also, search is improved within the app to help you find photos of particular person, place or a specific topic (birthday, beach and so on.)

Enhanced Lock ScreenThe swipe to unlock feature is gone from the lock screen. Instead, a right swipe brings up the widgets screen while a left swipe now launches the camera app. Also, the lock screen notifications are now interactive — you can dismiss all notifications directly from the lock screen itself using 3D touch or a left swipe.

5 Clever iOS 10 Tricks

- Notification Pop-up windows: If you have an app open and a banner notification from another app arrives, you can pull the notification down to open a pop-up window

- There are many more Emoji available to you and you can select them easily too: Messaging will automatically highlight words that have supporting Emoji — just tap the work to insert it.

- iMessage will also let you send animated GIFs — something that WhatsApp still doesn’t allow. What’s more, you can do this right from the keyboard instead of looking for GIFs in a web browser.

- Ever forgotten where you parked your car in a large parking lot? Apple Maps will remember where you parked — it will guide you back to your car using GPS when it’s time to leave.

- Copy-paste works between devices: If you are signed in to your Apple account on multiple Apple devices, iOS 10 offers a universal clipboard i.e. you can copy text on one device and paste it on the other.

Speed If you’re a Watch owner, you’ve seen your fair share of spinning wheels. Some apps could take 10 to 15 seconds to load. Now, the apps will open faster as in the new update, the watch gets background refresh (apps can update even when you’re not looking at them). Basically, it will be like you got a new Watch!

The Apple Watch Series 2. (Image: Reuters)

Dock You may have a lot of apps on the Watch, but you will typically use only a handful. That’s why there’s the new Instant Launch Dock. You can choose up to 10 apps to place here and they remain pre-loaded. Simply swipe between them and tap any one to instantly launch it.

Breathe This is a great new app that helps you disconnect from the stresses of daily life. Breathe guides you through a quick deep breathing session every once in a while. The Taptic engine inside the watch will vibrate in different patterns, helping train your breathing - this will calm you down and refresh you.

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